The First Fact Finding Mission of JICA for Odisha Forestry Sector Development Project (OFSDP) Phase-II visited Odisha from 7th to 18th November, 2016 in connection with setting the direction and framework of the Project with its Cost, Schedule, Area and Scope and to confirm the way forward till the Loan Agreement Signing.

The above Fact Finding Mission consisted of following members:

Sl

Name of the Officer

Designation

1

Mr. Seiya Okawara

Country Officer, , South Asia Department, Division-1

2

Ms. Chikako Maruyama

Country Officer, South Asia Department, Division-1

3

Mr. Takaaki Kato

Country Officer, South Asia Department, Division-1

4

Ms. Masayo Hosono

Deputy Assistant Director, South Asia Department, Division-1

5

Dr. Yumiko Tanaka

Senior Advisor on Gender & Development

6

Mr. Vineet Sarin

Additional Chief Development Specialist, JICA India Office

The mission visited Keonjhar, Rairangpur & Ghumsur (North) Forest Divisions inspecting the VSS areas and interaction with the VSS and SHG members in the field. On 16.11.16 the Mission members had a meeting with the Principal Secretary, Forest and Environment wherein the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Odisha and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Odisha were present. The mission had detailed discussion with the Project Director and other officers of PMU. It was decided to rationalise the project proposal with maximum limit for total project cost of INR 1,000 Crore. Tentative number of VSS was agreed to be about 1000 in 59 ranges within 12 Territorial and 2 Wildlife Divisions. Accordingly, it was decided to pose the Detailed Project Report before the Central Government after obtaining all clearances so that the official request will be submitted by DEA, Government of India to the Government of Japan latest by 20.12.2016 and JICA would be in a position to dispatch Appraisal Mission in the first week of January 2017.

Accordingly, OFSDS submitted the
Rationalised DPR at a total cost of Rs.998.25 Crore was submitted by the Odisha State Government to the MoEF & CC vide letter dated 28.11.2016. This Rationalised DPR was technically appraised by MoEF&CC, New Delhi and forwarded to the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, New Delhi for them to issue official request to JICA for the appraisal of the proposed Project.